http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/
Melik Kaylan - Out in the World - ForbesMelik Kaylan's stories. Out in the World: I cover conflicts, frontiers and upheavals mired in history.http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/3a4148cd48927bf48ab71ee311627f47?s=400&amp;d=http%3A%2F%2F1.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D400&amp;r=Ghttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2015/02/10/obama-and-merkel-are-clueless-about-putin-yet-its-so-simple/
Obama And Merkel Are Clueless About Putin: Yet It's So SimpleApparently a strategic consensus now emerges that Ukraine cannot win the struggle against Moscow, not even on its own territory. The Russkies cannot be beat. Therefore Ukraine should receive no arms. That’s the logic. Obama, prodded by Merkel, largely agrees though makes noises about keeping ‘all options’ open. Theirs is [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2015/02/10/obama-and-merkel-are-clueless-about-putin-yet-its-so-simple/Tue, 10 Feb 2015 15:22:00 -0500Apparently a strategic consensus now emerges that Ukraine cannot win the struggle against Moscow, not even on its own territory. The Russkies cannot be beat. Therefore Ukraine should receive no arms. That’s the logic. Obama, prodded by Merkel, largely agrees though makes noises about keeping ‘all options’ open. Theirs is [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/12/02/putin-visits-turkey-oil-prices-ukraine-georgia-cold-war-world-war/
Putin Visits Turkey: Oil Prices, Ukraine, Georgia, Cold War, World WarPutin’s state visit to Erdogan yesterday in Ankara, a summit meeting between the world’s two top pseudo-democratic authoritarian regimes, can determine the direction of history for some decades. If you think I exaggerate, keep reading. Anyone moderately literate in the world’s strategic balances knows exactly what I mean. I will [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/12/02/putin-visits-turkey-oil-prices-ukraine-georgia-cold-war-world-war/Tue, 2 Dec 2014 12:34:00 -0500Putin’s state visit to Erdogan yesterday in Ankara, a summit meeting between the world’s two top pseudo-democratic authoritarian regimes, can determine the direction of history for some decades. If you think I exaggerate, keep reading. Anyone moderately literate in the world’s strategic balances knows exactly what I mean. I will [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/11/12/is-putin-about-to-invade-ukraine/
Is Putin About To Invade Ukraine?As I write this, observers report a huge buildup of Russian military forces on Ukraine’s borders. We are talking about 7000 or more troops already inside Ukraine and some 50,000 massing outside. Besides scores of howitzers, rocket launchers, and armored vehicles the estimates specify 100 tanks inside and another 400 [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/11/12/is-putin-about-to-invade-ukraine/Wed, 12 Nov 2014 14:03:00 -0500As I write this, observers report a huge buildup of Russian military forces on Ukraine’s borders. We are talking about 7000 or more troops already inside Ukraine and some 50,000 massing outside. Besides scores of howitzers, rocket launchers, and armored vehicles the estimates specify 100 tanks inside and another 400 [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/10/24/ukraines-upcoming-elections-a-test-of-national-identity-and-the-putin-doctrine/
Ukraine's Upcoming Elections: A Test Of National Identity And The Putin DoctrineThis Sunday the Ukrainians go to the polls to elect their all-important new parliament. There is and will be lots of purely political comment on whether individual candidates and voting blocs will reflect the ideals of the ‘New Ukraine’. How will the oligarchic system fare owning, as it does, much [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/10/24/ukraines-upcoming-elections-a-test-of-national-identity-and-the-putin-doctrine/Fri, 24 Oct 2014 09:12:00 -0400This Sunday the Ukrainians go to the polls to elect their all-important new parliament. There is and will be lots of purely political comment on whether individual candidates and voting blocs will reflect the ideals of the ‘New Ukraine’. How will the oligarchic system fare owning, as it does, much [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/10/17/putin-erdogan-saudi-arabia-the-balance-of-power-is-shifting/
Putin, Erdogan, Saudi Arabia: The Balance Of Power Is ShiftingIf you subtract Ebola and ISIS from the news, what are the three most significant recent developments in world affairs? Here are my nominations: Saudi Arabia announces it will raise production and drop oil prices, Turkey loses its bid to serve on the UN Security Council, a meeting between Putin [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/10/17/putin-erdogan-saudi-arabia-the-balance-of-power-is-shifting/Fri, 17 Oct 2014 12:27:00 -0400If you subtract Ebola and ISIS from the news, what are the three most significant recent developments in world affairs? Here are my nominations: Saudi Arabia announces it will raise production and drop oil prices, Turkey loses its bid to serve on the UN Security Council, a meeting between Putin [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/10/06/putin-isis-ebola-how-globalization-is-harming-us-more-than-helping-us/
Putin, ISIS, Ebola: How Globalization Is Harming Us More Than Helping UsWhy are so many horrors happening at once in the world? Has it always been thus, and is the only change merely that we are plagued with too much instant news now? Is there a common factor: how can we make sense of the simultaneity of ISIS and the Arab [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/10/06/putin-isis-ebola-how-globalization-is-harming-us-more-than-helping-us/Mon, 6 Oct 2014 11:30:00 -0400Why are so many horrors happening at once in the world? Has it always been thus, and is the only change merely that we are plagued with too much instant news now? Is there a common factor: how can we make sense of the simultaneity of ISIS and the Arab [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/09/29/the-real-danger-from-axis-is-the-distraction-from-russia-and-china/
The Real Danger From ISIS Is The Distraction From Russia And ChinaPresident Obama admits he ‘misunderestimated’ the rise of ISIS, as his predecessor might have said. The US and allied bombing campaign against ISIS enters its third week and the complications, always predictable, begin to emerge. I urge readers to keep a list of the gung-ho, pro-intervention voices, later to hold [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/09/29/the-real-danger-from-axis-is-the-distraction-from-russia-and-china/Mon, 29 Sep 2014 15:53:00 -0400President Obama admits he ‘misunderestimated’ the rise of ISIS, as his predecessor might have said. The US and allied bombing campaign against ISIS enters its third week and the complications, always predictable, begin to emerge. I urge readers to keep a list of the gung-ho, pro-intervention voices, later to hold [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/09/26/on-the-climate-summit-why-conservatives-too-need-to-own-their-love-of-the-earth/
On The Climate Summit: Why Conservatives Too Need To Own Their Love Of The EarthThis last week, amid the chaos and pomp of the UN Climate Conference’s siege of New York’s streets, another conference happened not far away on the same topic. Entitled ‘Religions For The Earth Conference’, it took place way uptown near Columbia University at the Union Theological Seminary. It brought together [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/09/26/on-the-climate-summit-why-conservatives-too-need-to-own-their-love-of-the-earth/Fri, 26 Sep 2014 16:12:00 -0400This last week, amid the chaos and pomp of the UN Climate Conference’s siege of New York’s streets, another conference happened not far away on the same topic. Entitled ‘Religions For The Earth Conference’, it took place way uptown near Columbia University at the Union Theological Seminary. It brought together [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/09/18/ukraine-isis-scotland-a-critical-time-when-we-could-lose-everything-what-to-do/
Ukraine, ISIS, Scotland: A Critical Time When We Could Lose Everything. What To Do.As Ukraine’s President Poroshenko visits the White House and the US Congress weighs up ISIL, the question arises: which is the higher priority, which the greater threat? Can we deal with both simultaneously and adequately? Realistically speaking, must we focus on one before the other owing to our increasingly constrained [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/09/18/ukraine-isis-scotland-a-critical-time-when-we-could-lose-everything-what-to-do/Thu, 18 Sep 2014 11:18:00 -0400As Ukraine’s President Poroshenko visits the White House and the US Congress weighs up ISIL, the question arises: which is the higher priority, which the greater threat? Can we deal with both simultaneously and adequately? Realistically speaking, must we focus on one before the other owing to our increasingly constrained [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/09/11/the-presidents-speech-about-iraq-the-hidden-message/
The President's Speech About Iraq: The Hidden MessageThe notion that America could civilize the mephitic forces unleashed in the Middle East seems as delusional as ever. If you begin with that principle, President Obama’s speech won’t disappoint you. He laid out a plan for degrading ISIS, but not destroying it, despite his noises in that direction (“we [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/09/11/the-presidents-speech-about-iraq-the-hidden-message/Thu, 11 Sep 2014 09:58:00 -0400The notion that America could civilize the mephitic forces unleashed in the Middle East seems as delusional as ever. If you begin with that principle, President Obama’s speech won’t disappoint you. He laid out a plan for degrading ISIS, but not destroying it, despite his noises in that direction (“we [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/09/04/putins-duplicity-is-a-kind-of-theater-what-is-his-real-message/
Putin's Duplicity Is A Kind Of Theater: What Is His Real Message?You might all have begun to wonder at Vladimir Putin’s audacity in urging and attending meeting after meeting with world leaders in quest of peace – then returning home and ordering up more hostilities against Ukraine. What does it mean, this serial kabuki of barefaced hypocrisy? After the Crimea invasion, [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/09/04/putins-duplicity-is-a-kind-of-theater-what-is-his-real-message/Thu, 4 Sep 2014 16:26:00 -0400You might all have begun to wonder at Vladimir Putin’s audacity in urging and attending meeting after meeting with world leaders in quest of peace – then returning home and ordering up more hostilities against Ukraine. What does it mean, this serial kabuki of barefaced hypocrisy? After the Crimea invasion, [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/08/28/before-james-foley-was-killedhe-was-kidnapped-who-did-it-and-why/
Before James Foley Was Killed, He Was Kidnapped. Who Did It And Why?Amid all the noise about British jihadis and ISIS brutality, we have stopped sifting for the story of James Foley’s kidnapping. There seems to be consensus on the identity of the man behind the ski mask who performed the beheading: an Egyptian Brit rapper turned ISIS volunteer. But we must [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/08/28/before-james-foley-was-killedhe-was-kidnapped-who-did-it-and-why/Thu, 28 Aug 2014 11:33:00 -0400Amid all the noise about British jihadis and ISIS brutality, we have stopped sifting for the story of James Foley’s kidnapping. There seems to be consensus on the identity of the man behind the ski mask who performed the beheading: an Egyptian Brit rapper turned ISIS volunteer. But we must [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/08/21/in-the-footsteps-of-james-foley-and-others/
James Foley And The Dangers Of Local Fixers In The Syrian ConflictI met James Foley once in the provincial Turkish city of Antakya not far from the Syria border at a sidewalk café. Virtually all the journalists going into Syria and many of the freshly arrived international volunteers against Assad go through Antakya. Foley formed part of a morning coffee tableau [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/08/21/in-the-footsteps-of-james-foley-and-others/Thu, 21 Aug 2014 13:20:00 -0400I met James Foley once in the provincial Turkish city of Antakya not far from the Syria border at a sidewalk café. Virtually all the journalists going into Syria and many of the freshly arrived international volunteers against Assad go through Antakya. Foley formed part of a morning coffee tableau [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/08/13/its-time-to-put-the-isis-threat-in-perspective/
It's Time To Put The ISIS Threat In PerspectiveIt’s time to cut through some of the media panic on the ISIS madness. Let us first dispense with the notion that we should all be terrified of ISIS (aka IS aka ISIL) as a danger to the world. I have even seen a Chinese map showing how ISIS constitutes [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/08/13/its-time-to-put-the-isis-threat-in-perspective/Wed, 13 Aug 2014 13:05:00 -0400It’s time to cut through some of the media panic on the ISIS madness. Let us first dispense with the notion that we should all be terrified of ISIS (aka IS aka ISIL) as a danger to the world. I have even seen a Chinese map showing how ISIS constitutes [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/07/31/the-new-wave-of-elected-dictatorships-around-the-world/
The New Wave Of Elected Dictatorships Around The WorldBeneath the roiling surface of explosive news events a far more deeply worrying current has set in across the world: the triumph of elected dictatorships. Until the last decade or so history was familiar with essentially two types of states, democratic and non-democratic. Now we have a third, a hybrid, [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/07/31/the-new-wave-of-elected-dictatorships-around-the-world/Thu, 31 Jul 2014 11:15:00 -0400Beneath the roiling surface of explosive news events a far more deeply worrying current has set in across the world: the triumph of elected dictatorships. Until the last decade or so history was familiar with essentially two types of states, democratic and non-democratic. Now we have a third, a hybrid, [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/07/24/in-venezuela-the-show-trial-begins-a-personal-story/
In Venezuela, The Show Trial Begins: A Personal StoryIn Venezuela, the Maduro government is about to put a leading opposition politician on trial, or ‘show trial’ to be precise. Leopoldo Lopez has remained in prison since his arrest in February, spending almost all of it in total isolation. He turned himself in when the government accused him of [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/07/24/in-venezuela-the-show-trial-begins-a-personal-story/Thu, 24 Jul 2014 13:40:00 -0400In Venezuela, the Maduro government is about to put a leading opposition politician on trial, or ‘show trial’ to be precise. Leopoldo Lopez has remained in prison since his arrest in February, spending almost all of it in total isolation. He turned himself in when the government accused him of [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/07/23/the-crisis-in-islam-threatens-us-all/
The Crisis In Islam Threatens Us AllWhile all eyes are fixed on Ukraine and Gaza, the world seems to be drifting toward catastrophe in many other places, especially Islamic regions. America’s role in the world imposes on President Obama the onus of having to worry about such things in ways that concern no other national leader. [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/07/23/the-crisis-in-islam-threatens-us-all/Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:38:00 -0400While all eyes are fixed on Ukraine and Gaza, the world seems to be drifting toward catastrophe in many other places, especially Islamic regions. America’s role in the world imposes on President Obama the onus of having to worry about such things in ways that concern no other national leader. [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/07/16/the-re-invasion-of-ukraine-putins-sense-of-timing/
The Re-invasion Of Ukraine: Putin's Sense Of TimingHaving witnessed the 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia, and spent last month in Ukraine, I can say one thing about Vladimir Putin without fear of contradiction: he cares about timing. When he’s up to no good, he loves a sleight-of-hand distraction in global headlines. In 2008, the Beijing summer Olympics [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/07/16/the-re-invasion-of-ukraine-putins-sense-of-timing/Wed, 16 Jul 2014 14:49:00 -0400Having witnessed the 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia, and spent last month in Ukraine, I can say one thing about Vladimir Putin without fear of contradiction: he cares about timing. When he’s up to no good, he loves a sleight-of-hand distraction in global headlines. In 2008, the Beijing summer Olympics [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/07/14/what-is-hamas-trying-to-achieve-in-gaza/
What Is Hamas Trying To Achieve In Gaza?Once again, Palestinians and Israelis pound away at each other while the world takes sides and the globalized volume of outrage drowns out all clarity. There’s something very odd about the current conflict that no commentator has paused long enough to consider. Neither has anyone touched on the glaring question [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/07/14/what-is-hamas-trying-to-achieve-in-gaza/Mon, 14 Jul 2014 11:53:00 -0400Once again, Palestinians and Israelis pound away at each other while the world takes sides and the globalized volume of outrage drowns out all clarity. There’s something very odd about the current conflict that no commentator has paused long enough to consider. Neither has anyone touched on the glaring question [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/07/02/how-to-help-ukraine-survive-putins-onslaught/
How To Help Ukraine Survive Putin's OnslaughtIn Ukraine, President Poroshenko has moved on quashing the separatists in the East with heavy armor and fresh troops. As full-scale conflict unfolds, crucial to the outcome of the whole enterprise will be the readiness of Ukraine’s armed forces. It’s no small question. Training, logistical support, equipment, communications – all [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/07/02/how-to-help-ukraine-survive-putins-onslaught/Wed, 2 Jul 2014 13:14:00 -0400In Ukraine, President Poroshenko has moved on quashing the separatists in the East with heavy armor and fresh troops. As full-scale conflict unfolds, crucial to the outcome of the whole enterprise will be the readiness of Ukraine’s armed forces. It’s no small question. Training, logistical support, equipment, communications – all [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/06/25/whats-really-happening-in-iraq-a-radical-theory/
What's Really Happening In Iraq: A Radical TheoryThis is as good a time as any to consider a radically different explanation of developments in Iraq, a counter-narrative so to speak. Consider the possibility that the Iraqi army intentionally caved to ISIL. I do not assert it as incontestably true – the evidence is still too murky and [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/06/25/whats-really-happening-in-iraq-a-radical-theory/Wed, 25 Jun 2014 10:50:00 -0400This is as good a time as any to consider a radically different explanation of developments in Iraq, a counter-narrative so to speak. Consider the possibility that the Iraqi army intentionally caved to ISIL. I do not assert it as incontestably true – the evidence is still too murky and [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/06/15/on-iraq-the-us-should-keep-cool-all-is-not-what-it-seems/
On Iraq, The U.S. Should Keep Cool: All Is Not What It SeemsThe tremendous pundit hysteria to one side, it’s not absolutely clear why the US should be intimately involved with the latest events in Iraq. President Obama may or may not be a feckless indecisive world leader, but the fall of Mosul tells us nothing on that subject. I was in [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/06/15/on-iraq-the-us-should-keep-cool-all-is-not-what-it-seems/Sun, 15 Jun 2014 11:19:00 -0400The tremendous pundit hysteria to one side, it’s not absolutely clear why the US should be intimately involved with the latest events in Iraq. President Obama may or may not be a feckless indecisive world leader, but the fall of Mosul tells us nothing on that subject. I was in [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/06/08/president-poroshenkos-speech-and-its-implications/
President Poroshenko's Speech And Its ImplicationsPetro Poroshenko’s ringing inauguration speech gave us a sharp taste of the new Ukrainian President’s character. A bravura performance. Terse, pugnacious, patriotic, blunt, defiant. No wasted persiflage. I copy below what I consider the most salient parts, indeed most of the speech. Then I offer some observations. I found myself [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/06/08/president-poroshenkos-speech-and-its-implications/Sun, 8 Jun 2014 05:36:00 -0400Petro Poroshenko’s ringing inauguration speech gave us a sharp taste of the new Ukrainian President’s character. A bravura performance. Terse, pugnacious, patriotic, blunt, defiant. No wasted persiflage. I copy below what I consider the most salient parts, indeed most of the speech. Then I offer some observations. I found myself [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/06/04/in-crimea-caucasus-eastern-ukraine-everyones-a-barbarian-except-the-russians-really/
In Crimea, Caucasus, Eastern Ukraine, Everyone's A Barbarian Except The Russians. Really?The leader of the Crimean Tatars, Mustafa Dzhemilev, just got awarded the first ever Solidarity Prize. I met him in Kiev a few days before he travelled to Poland for the event where he was congratulated by Lech Walesa and even President Obama who happened to be visiting (the official [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/06/04/in-crimea-caucasus-eastern-ukraine-everyones-a-barbarian-except-the-russians-really/Wed, 4 Jun 2014 18:14:00 -0400The leader of the Crimean Tatars, Mustafa Dzhemilev, just got awarded the first ever Solidarity Prize. I met him in Kiev a few days before he travelled to Poland for the event where he was congratulated by Lech Walesa and even President Obama who happened to be visiting (the official [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/05/31/on-the-ground-in-ukraine-how-the-new-president-can-learn-from-georgia/
On The Ground In Ukraine: How The New President Can Learn From GeorgiaIn less than a week, the newly elected President of Ukraine will take office. The country is full of rumors and speculation about how he will tackle the multiple challenges that face him. He has enough to overcome without the added multiplier of Russian pressure on the entire process. It’s [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/05/31/on-the-ground-in-ukraine-how-the-new-president-can-learn-from-georgia/Sat, 31 May 2014 21:41:00 -0400In less than a week, the newly elected President of Ukraine will take office. The country is full of rumors and speculation about how he will tackle the multiple challenges that face him. He has enough to overcome without the added multiplier of Russian pressure on the entire process. It’s [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/05/30/sneaking-into-crimea-or-maybe-not/
Sneaking Into Crimea - Or Maybe NotCrimea, UKraine Here on the border of the Crimean peninsula in the region of Herson one can see what masters of division the Russians have become over the years. There’s one thing they know how to do with brutal efficiency and speed and that is to make a “wall”, as in [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/05/30/sneaking-into-crimea-or-maybe-not/Fri, 30 May 2014 23:27:00 -0400Crimea, UKraine Here on the border of the Crimean peninsula in the region of Herson one can see what masters of division the Russians have become over the years. There’s one thing they know how to do with brutal efficiency and speed and that is to make a “wall”, as in [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/05/21/oligarchs-russia-and-ukraine-what-magnitsky-akhmetov-and-kievs-elections-bode/
Oligarchs, Russia and Ukraine: What Magnitsky, Akhmetov And Kiev's Elections BodeIt’s a very risky time for post-Soviet oligarchs. On May 19, Ukraine’s biggest oligarch Rinat Akhmetov came out against separatists and placed himself squarely in the firing line between Moscow and Kiev. On the same day, in Washington, as part of the Magnitsky Act provisions, twelve Russian names were publicly [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/05/21/oligarchs-russia-and-ukraine-what-magnitsky-akhmetov-and-kievs-elections-bode/Wed, 21 May 2014 18:22:00 -0400It’s a very risky time for post-Soviet oligarchs. On May 19, Ukraine’s biggest oligarch Rinat Akhmetov came out against separatists and placed himself squarely in the firing line between Moscow and Kiev. On the same day, in Washington, as part of the Magnitsky Act provisions, twelve Russian names were publicly [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/05/16/in-turkeys-mine-disaster-erdogan-turns-tragedy-into-farce/
In Turkey's Mine Disaster, Erdogan Turns Tragedy Into FarceThe tragedy of the coal mine disaster in the town of Soma is rapidly morphing into rancorous farce. There's a kind of poisonous absurdity in Turkish public life these days that puts the Erdogan era in the political overlap zone between Berlusconi and Putin. A common thread binds the three pseudo-democratic despots and it [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/05/16/in-turkeys-mine-disaster-erdogan-turns-tragedy-into-farce/Fri, 16 May 2014 02:24:00 -0400The tragedy of the coal mine disaster in the town of Soma is rapidly morphing into rancorous farce. There's a kind of poisonous absurdity in Turkish public life these days that puts the Erdogan era in the political overlap zone between Berlusconi and Putin. A common thread binds the three pseudo-democratic despots and it [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/05/09/we-abandon-mideast-christians-they-fall-prey-to-putins-charms/
We Abandon Mideast Christians: They Fall Prey To Putin's CharmsA chorus of deafening silence has greeted the May 7 public declaration of solidarity by American churches for Christians in the Middle East. Except for this item in Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/05/07/american-christians-pledge-solidarity-with-persecuted-christians-in-egypt-iraq/)the grand gesture seems not to have caught the media’s attention in the US or elsewhere. Why is there so [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/05/09/we-abandon-mideast-christians-they-fall-prey-to-putins-charms/Fri, 9 May 2014 16:13:00 -0400A chorus of deafening silence has greeted the May 7 public declaration of solidarity by American churches for Christians in the Middle East. Except for this item in Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/05/07/american-christians-pledge-solidarity-with-persecuted-christians-in-egypt-iraq/)the grand gesture seems not to have caught the media’s attention in the US or elsewhere. Why is there so [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/04/29/in-the-revival-of-russias-empire-the-kgb-never-stopped-pulling-strings/
In The Revival Of Russia's Empire The KGB Never Stopped Pulling StringsMore astonishing, by far, than all of Vladimir Putin’s power gambits is the astonishment they cause among commentators in the West. Why anyone should have expected otherwise is the surprise. From Peter the Great to the present, rulers in Moscow have understood one central fact about their land, namely that [...]Melik Kaylan, Contributorhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/melikkaylan/2014/04/29/in-the-revival-of-russias-empire-the-kgb-never-stopped-pulling-strings/Tue, 29 Apr 2014 12:31:00 -0400More astonishing, by far, than all of Vladimir Putin’s power gambits is the astonishment they cause among commentators in the West. Why anyone should have expected otherwise is the surprise. From Peter the Great to the present, rulers in Moscow have understood one central fact about their land, namely that [...]